Business Operations·Standings

Innovation software

Innovation software helps teams collect ideas, evaluate them, manage an innovation portfolio and run challenges. The choice depends on the workflows you need and whether the software connects to your existing apps.

Compare idea submission, evaluation workflows, challenge management, integrations and deployment. The signal score is out of 10; API, open-source and free-tier marks show whether those options are listed.

• 18 platforms
• 3 with a public API on this page
• 7 with a free tier
• Checked 28 Sept 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   P

   Planforgeplanforge.io

   Project and portfolio management software for traditional, agile, and combined work.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from €4,500/mo
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3. 2
   IC

   Innovation Cloudinnovationcloud.com

   A product-development platform that guides concepts through phases, deliverables, and decision gates.

   6.5 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $27/mo
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4. 3
   I

   Ideanoteideanote.io

   An idea workspace with AI tools to generate, analyze, route, score, and translate ideas.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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5. 4
   O

   Orchideaorchidea.dev

   An innovation platform for AI-assisted workshops, idea campaigns, and idea evaluation.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $695/mo
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6. 5
   I

   IdeaGistideagist.com

   IdeaGist describes itself as a collaboration platform for people with ideas and those interested in new ideas.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $9.99/mo
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7. 6
   B

   Brightideabrightidea.com

   Innovation program software with tools for collecting and tracking ideas, programs, and hackathons.

   6.2 APIOpenFree From $99/mo
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8. 7
   T

   Tractiontractiontechnology.com

   Innovation platform for capturing and evaluating ideas, tracking rollout, with AI scouting and reports.

   5.6 APIOpenFree From $4,000/yr
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9. 8
   S6

   Sideways 6sideways6.com

   Idea management software with an app for sharing and discussing ideas inside Microsoft Teams.

   5.6 APIOpenFree Free tier
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10. 9
    IE

    innoCentrum Enterprisetema.innocentrum.com

    A suggestion platform with modules for campaigns, brainstorming, improvement, and project management.

    5.5 APIOpenFree From $1.25/mo
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11. 10
    PA

    Planview AdaptiveWorkplanview.com

    Project work software with board views, web and mobile apps, and a public API.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
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12. 11
    I

    IdeaScaleideascale.com

    A system for collecting and evaluating ideas, planning projects, and tracking innovation.

    5.3 APIOpenFree —
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13. 12
    HC

    Hives.cohives.co

    Idea management software that connects with Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace.

    5.3 APIOpenFree From $795/yr
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14. 13
    E

    Exagoexago.com

    Corporate innovation software for collecting, developing, and evaluating ideas in configurable workflows.

    5.2 APIOpenFree —
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15. 14
    WP

    Wazoku Platformwazoku.com

    Idea software with evaluation workflows, collaboration, and private challenges for specific groups.

    5.1 APIOpenFree From $15,000/yr
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16. 15
    HB

    HYPE Boardsviima.com

    Idea software for submissions, evaluations, challenges, and innovation portfolios, with a free plan.

    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
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17. 16
    Q

    Qmarketsqmarkets.net

    Qmarkets provides an end-to-end innovation management platform for turning organizational ideas into measurable outcomes.

    5.0 APIOpenFree —
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18. 17
    A

    Accoladewellspring.com

    Idea management software for submitting and evaluating ideas and managing an innovation portfolio.

    4.0 APIOpenFree —
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19. 18
    IF

    Innovation Framework Ideasinnovation-framework.com

    Idea software with submission, evaluation, portfolio, and challenge management features.

    4.0 APIOpenFree —
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Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which innovation workflows does it need to support?

Choose software that covers the work you need, such as idea submission, evaluation workflows, an innovation portfolio or challenge management.

Compare those functions against your current process before looking at plans.

Does it connect to the apps we already use?

Check the listed integrations and whether the product offers a public API, a way for other software to connect to it.

Confirm that the connections you need are available before choosing a plan.

Where can people use the software?

Check the platforms listed for the product, such as web, iOS, Android, Windows or self-hosted deployment.

Match that availability to how your team needs to access and deploy the software.

How much does innovation software cost?

Plans vary: HYPE Boards has a free plan and paid plans from $79 per month with annual billing; Ideanote starts at $6 per user per month with annual billing.

Other products list pricing on request. Check whether a free plan or trial is available and confirm current terms with the maker.

Can we use open-source software?

Check the open-source mark if you need code you can inspect or change.

Questions

What does innovation management software do?

It supports work such as idea submission, evaluation workflows, innovation portfolio management and challenge management.

Does innovation software offer a free plan?

Free-plan availability varies. For example, HYPE Boards, IdeaGist and Ideanote list free plans.

Can I try innovation software before paying?

Some products list a free trial. Check the product details for availability and trial terms.

Which innovation software has an API?

API availability varies by product. Check the API mark and confirm that the connection you need is supported.

How do I compare innovation software pricing?

Compare free plans, starting prices and billing terms. Some products list pricing on request, so ask the maker for a quote.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure